Waiting for Coach Popov to 'work his magic' in Pleiku.

Coach Velizar Popov had a perfect debut with The Cong Viettel FC in Round 21 of the V.League 2024/25, however, that joy is not a guarantee of long-term success.

Coach Popov needs to help The Cong Viettel win against HAGL - Photo: TCVT .

Following Viettel's 6-0 victory over Da Nang , the real challenge awaits Popov in the next round. Viettel will be playing away at HAGL's home ground in Pleiku. Coach Popov's task is to help the military team secure three points.

HAGL may not have many superstars this season, but they are a young, passionate team, and especially "difficult to beat" when playing at home. Pleiku Stadium is a place where many big teams have to "seek oxygen".

Nam Dinh, a leading contender for the championship, was once held to a 0-0 draw here. Even the Bulgarian coach, when leading Thanh Hoa FC, couldn't secure three points when traveling to the mountain town. Meanwhile, CAHN, with one of the deepest squads in the V.League, also suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat.

Therefore, Pleiku Stadium is not only a challenging destination from a professional standpoint but also a psychological test for Popov - who is used to "high-profile" matches but has not yet achieved long-term success in the V.League.

Viettel Sports Club will play away against HAGL in round 22 - Photo: TCVT.

Looking back at Popov's journey in Vietnam, no one can deny the tactical prowess and game-reading ability of the Bulgarian strategist. He led Thanh Hoa FC to two titles: the National Cup and the Super Cup. This was something the team from Thanh Hoa had never achieved before. These successes were built on a solid playing style, excellent physical fitness, and shrewd tactical planning in knockout matches.

However, in the V.League, a league that demands stability and squad depth, Coach Popov hasn't been particularly fortunate. Thanh Hoa played very well in the first half of previous seasons, but often faltered in the second half. Specifically, in the 2022/23 season, they won 6 out of 12 first-half matches, but only 2 out of the remaining 10. A similar situation occurred in the 2023/24 season.

With Viettel Sports FC – a team with much greater ambition and a more stable squad than Thanh Hoa FC – Coach Popov is expected to avoid repeating past mistakes. He has ample time and autonomy in professional matters to build the team in his own style.

The military team boasts a quality squad, from key players like Tien Anh, Duc Chien, and Huu Thang to foreign players Pedro Henrique and Amarildo. Under coach Popov's guidance, Huu Thang – a "precious gem" of Vietnamese football who had been lackluster for many seasons – has now been "revived" with a beautiful brace against Da Nang FC. This is not the first time he has "breathed life" into seemingly ordinary players. At Thanh Hoa FC, the Bulgarian coach previously helped Thai Son, Doan Ngoc Tan, and Hoang Thai Binh perform explosively, significantly improving their physical fitness and tactical thinking.

The players of The Cong Viettel possess excellent physical fitness and a strong desire to win. However, after winning the championship in 2020, they have frequently been embroiled in relegation battles. Now, under a charismatic and passionate coach like Coach Popov, the military team is expected to undergo a transformation and rediscover its former identity. Coach Popov has sufficient resources to mold a team with a strong identity and effectiveness. The only remaining issues are time and the ability to maintain consistency in the remaining five rounds.

If Coach Popov can overcome HAGL – a formidable challenge – he will truly make his first significant mark with his new team. At that point, the dream of bringing The Cong Viettel Club back to being a serious contender in the V.League will no longer be far-fetched.

Source: https://znews.vn/cho-hlv-popov-lam-phep-o-pleiku-post1551824.html